Incident Overview
A ground collision occurred between a B-747 cargo airplane and a parked EMB-190 at an airport during night instrument meteorological conditions. The EMB-190, operated by a passenger airline on a positioning flight, had landed and was directed by company personnel to park on a cargo ramp unfamiliar to the flight crew due to ramp space limitations.
Sequence of Events
The EMB-190 crew taxied to the designated ramp and was informed that a marshalling crew would be sent when available, but a significant delay was expected. Ramp markings were at least partially obscured by freezing precipitation that had fallen earlier in the day. The crew shut down the engines but kept the cabin, navigation, beacon, and logo lights illuminated.
Shortly thereafter, the B-747 crew attempted to taxi behind the parked EMB-190 on an active taxiway. Noticing that the EMB-190 was very close to the taxiway, the B-747 crew deviated approximately 12 feet from the taxiway centerline to avoid contact. Believing they had successfully cleared the EMB-190, they continued to their parking position. After parking, they were advised that the right winglet of the B-747 had struck the EMB-190 rudder, separated from the wing, and remained embedded in the other airplane.
Findings
Subsequent examination determined that the tail of the EMB-190 extended approximately 50 feet beyond the demarcation line of the non-movement area. It was also noted that the B-747 could have deviated further from the taxiway centerline—retaining a 15 to 20 foot wheel clearance from the taxiway edge—to avoid the EMB-190.